Drought and irrigation draw down Turkey's Salt Lake, endangering flamingos and salt industry
Turkey's Tuz Gölü is shrinking due to severe drought and groundwater extraction, threatening its flamingo population, tourism and two-thirds of the nation's salt output.
Tuz Gölü, Turkey's second-largest and one of the world's saltiest lakes, is experiencing a critical water shortfall as drought and intensive groundwater pumping for agriculture in the Konya basin combine to lower its depth to roughly 50 cm. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reported that the 2021 loss of about 1,000 juvenile flamingos was linked to heightened salinity and insufficient water for chicks. The lake, a key breeding site for flamingos and a popular sunset tourist spot, also underpins roughly two-thirds of the nation's salt production, supporting local employment and export markets.
Researchers from Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) found that merely 3 percent of basin precipitation reaches the lake, highlighting its vulnerability. Continued water stress threatens both the ecological balance and the regional economy reliant on salt harvesting and tourism.
Why it matters
The lake's decline endangers wildlife, tourism and a major source of Turkey's salt, affecting both the environment and local livelihoods.
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